Balancing Chemical Equations

Front

What is a chemical equation?

Back

A representation of a chemical reaction using symbols and formulas to show the reactants and products.

Front

What are reactants in a chemical equation?

Back

Substances that undergo a chemical change during a reaction, found on the left side of the equation.

Front

What are products in a chemical equation?

Back

Substances that are formed as a result of a chemical reaction, found on the right side of the equation.

Front

What is the purpose of balancing a chemical equation?

Back

To ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation, following the law of conservation of mass.

Front

What is a coefficient in a chemical equation?

Back

A large number placed in front of a chemical formula to indicate how many molecules or moles of that substance are involved in the reaction.

Front

What is a subscript in a chemical formula?

Back

A small number written after an element symbol that indicates the number of atoms of that element in a molecule.

Front

How do you balance the equation: H2 + O2 -> H2O?

Back

By placing a coefficient of 2 in front of H2O: 2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O.

Front

What does the arrow in a chemical equation represent?

Back

It indicates the direction of the reaction, showing that reactants are transformed into products.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

A principle stating that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction; the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.

Front

What is the difference between a balanced and unbalanced equation?

Back

A balanced equation has equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides, while an unbalanced equation does not.